Massage Therapy Instructor Interview Series: Laura

As someone who values emotional resilience, mentorship, and lifelong learning, I’ve come to appreciate the kind of teacher who doesn’t just pass on information, but truly embodies the work. That’s exactly what I’ve found in my massage therapy instructor, Laura. Every time she guides us through a technique or a classroom discussion, it’s clear that the theories we read about in our textbooks come to life through her hands, her stories, and her ethics. Whether we’re practicing body mechanics, reviewing ethics, or simply watching her demonstrate a new modality, she connects everything back to the real-world experience of being a thoughtful, responsible massage therapist.

What I admire most is that she genuinely seems to enjoy teaching us. She brings care into every lesson. She pays attention to our growth, encourages our strengths, and gently helps us work through challenges. It’s obvious she wants us to succeed, not just in class, but in our future careers. I’m grateful to be learning from someone who doesn’t just teach massage therapy. She lives it with humility, consistency, and heart.

The Future of the Massage Therapy Industry

►        Looking ahead to 2030, MassageLuXe predicts deeper roots for the massage industry in the health and wellness business sector. What emerging trends or specializations do you anticipate will shape the future career paths for your students?

I believe massage therapy will become an even more important part of health and wellness. This means new chances for my students to find good, steady work in different areas. I think we will see more massage therapists working together with doctors, chiropractors, and physical therapists. Students who learn how to help people with long-term pain, who are healing from surgery, or who have health problems like arthritis or fibromyalgia will be very helpful in these places.

We will also need more therapists who know how to work with older people; helping them move better, feel more comfortable, and stay healthy. Another area that will grow is mental health. Many people are learning how massage can help with stress, sadness, and bad memories from the past. Therapists who know how to be kind, gentle, and careful with these clients will be needed.

In the workplace, more companies want massage to help their workers feel less stressed. Therapists who understand how to help with sore muscles from sitting too long or working at a desk will be useful. And even though I do not use many of these things myself, I know that technology like online booking, keeping notes on a computer, or using tools that show how the body is doing... will all be part of our work. This demonstrates that massage therapy is becoming more trusted and needed, and I feel proud to help my students get ready for this future with good training and strong values.

Preparing Students with Emotional Intelligence

►         How do you prepare students to address the mental and emotional aspects of their clients' health, understanding that massage can be "transformational" beyond just physical ailments?

In massage therapy, we are not only helping muscles feel better. Many times, we are also helping the heart, the mind, and the spirit. I have seen it again and again. When someone feels safe and cared for during a session, it can open something inside them. They may begin to cry, or feel emotions they didn’t expect. This is why, in my classroom, I teach students that massage can be more than physical healing. It can help people feel more like themselves again.

To prepare students for this, I first help them understand that trauma can live in the body. A gentle touch, if done with care and respect, can sometimes help a person release that pain. But students must also learn to be calm and steady if a client becomes emotional. I teach them to give clients choices, to ask permission, and to always respect a client's modesty and personal space. We talk about how important it is to notice when someone might be uncomfortable, and how to respond with kindness.

I also make sure students learn about the nervous system, and how stress can show up in the body. We talk about how grief or worry can cause real pain. Students begin to see that behind every tight shoulder or aching back, there may be a story. And while we do not need to know the whole story, we can honor it by listening and being present.

Good communication is part of this too. I teach how to listen without interrupting, how to stay quiet when needed, and how to hold space for someone else’s feelings. We also talk about keeping strong boundaries because we are massage therapists after all, not counselors. Still, it is our job to know when a person might need more help, and how to kindly suggest they speak with a mental health provider.

Lastly, I remind students that they must take care of themselves. This work can be heavy, especially when clients share deep emotions. So I encourage my students to find healthy ways to rest, reflect, and keep consistent with their self-care.

In the end, I believe that the best massage therapists are the ones who see the whole person, not just a body on a massage table. When students learn to blend skill with compassion, and to stay both caring and professional, they are ready to help others in a way that is safe, respectful, and truly healing.

Diversity of Opportunities in the Massage Industry

►        Beyond traditional spa settings, massage therapists can work in diverse environments, including clinical or medical contexts, or even at events like poker tournaments. What are some of the most unique or unconventional job opportunities you've encountered or pursued in your career, and how did you adapt your skills for those roles?

When people think of massage therapy, they often picture a quiet spa with soft music and dim lights. That is a lovely setting, yes—but it is only one part of the story. Over the years, I have seen massage therapists work in many different places, some of them very unexpected. These jobs may not look like what we see in school, but they still require the same care, skill, and respect.

For example, I know therapists who have worked at big poker tournaments and video game competitions. The players sit for hours without moving, trying to stay focused. In these jobs, massage must be fast, quiet, and helpful without being a distraction. Therapists give short chair massages to the neck and back, and they learn to understand the stress that comes from trying to win.

There are also therapists who work backstage at concerts or music festivals. Musicians and crew members often carry heavy things, sleep poorly, and feel sore or tired. Massage helps them keep going. But you must be flexible—sometimes the massage is done in a trailer, or outside, or very late at night.

Another interesting place is the airport. Some therapists work in lounges or even give massages on long airplane flights. These sessions are short and gentle, focusing on stiff necks or tired legs from travel. Because of air pressure changes and tight spaces, therapists must use extra care and knowledge.

Some of the most meaningful work happens in hospitals and clinics. I have seen massage help people recovering from strokes, brain injuries, or deep emotional wounds. These clients need therapists who know how to move slowly, speak gently, and work as part of a larger care team. The same is true in hospice care, where the goal is not to fix the body, but to bring peace and comfort in someone’s final days.

Massage is also used in places like factories and building sites. Workers there often have sore arms, backs, or shoulders from doing the same motion all day. These sessions are short and practical, and sometimes therapists wear safety vests or helmets, depending on the site.

Believe it or not, some therapists even work with animals. There are massage techniques for horses, dogs, and even zoo animals. It takes special training, but the same hands that help people can sometimes help animals feel better too.

In offices and big companies, massage is used to reduce stress and teach people how to sit and move in ways that are better for their health. These therapists also need to know how to talk to people kindly and clearly, sometimes even through video calls if the worker is at home.

No matter where you work, it is important to stay curious, keep learning, and be ready to change your approach. You may need to adjust your pressure, the tools you use, or even your attitude, depending on the situation. A good therapist learns to see the person (or animal) in front of them and ask: “How can I help today?”

That is what makes this work so special. Massage is not just one thing—it is many things, and it can follow you wherever your heart leads.

It's truly been a fun experience to learn from my instructors like Laura how powerful touch can be, not just for physical ailments like pain and soreness, but for addressing deeper emotional aspects like anxiety, trauma, and even grief. If you want to learn from Laura, too, call the European School of Massage Therapy at (702) 202-2455 for more information.